Lindsey and Kevin in Belmont, CA

An Apprentice hopeful and his bride wed at a gracious estate

By the time Kevin Allen, 30, got word that he had made the cut to do season two of NBC's The Apprentice, he had already proposed to Lindsey Anderson, 28. But since the show must go on, off he went to tape the New York–based program, leaving Lindsey to begin the planning process. Phone calls were their only form of contact. "Kevin wasn't allowed to discuss the show, but he could talk about the wedding," says Lindsey, who made the most of their chats, reporting on the locations she'd scouted. The couple decided on Ralston Hall, a stately mansion in Belmont, California. "It was classy but cool, which was the vibe we were going for," she explains.

Several months later, Kevin took that fateful elevator ride down Trump Tower and headed back to the West Coast to prepare for an even bigger role. On the wedding day, Ralston's sprawling front lawn proved a perfectly sunny setting as Kevin's uncle, a Baptist minister, officiated and 140 guests looked on.

After the ceremony, the action moved indoors to a Victorian-style ballroom, where the couple jumped the broom (an African-American custom) to signify leaping into their new married life. It also jump-started the reception, starring a traditional seated dinner. The musical entertainment afterward, however, was far from formal. "Our DJ played lots of hip-hop, and not always the cleaned-up versions," recalls Lindsey. "But no one, including the older guests, seemed to mind—they were too busy partying on the dance floor." —Terrie Collymore

Our Favorite ThingsFather Knows Best: Giving props to Kevin's dad, the couple made his special Georgia peach rum drink their fruity signature sip.Cold Comfort...Foods: "A party just isn't a party without ice cream," says Lindsey, who charmed the crowd with a postdinner sundae station.Designing Lady: Wanting to create a special token, Lindsey's mom used fabric from her own wedding gown to make a beaded vintage-style purse (with the couple's initials sewn into the lining) for her daughter to carry.No Hard Feelings: Proving that even fierce competitors can become fast friends, Kevin invited a few of his former TV rivals, including Apprentice winner Kelly Perdew, to share in his special day.